Mullvad VPN is cheaper, but covers only 3 of 8 compared capabilities
$5.58/mo (Flat monthly rate) vs Surfshark Surfshark Starter at $16.45/mo — covering 38% of the 8 compared capabilities.
Cheaper. Not the same job.
Comparison scenario
Every cheaper-than claim is tied to a defined scenario — never a bare list price.
single user, unlimited data, monthly billing · USD · prices as observed on official pricing pages.
Surfshark Starter plan at $16.45/mo, the cheapest paid plan.
Flat monthly rate: 5.58 USD/monthly.
Surfshark costs $16.45/mo on the Surfshark Starter plan at single user, unlimited data, monthly billing. We found 1 assessed alternative that is cheaper in this scenario; 0 of them cover at least 75% of the 8 compared capabilities.
Capability comparison
Mullvad VPN covers 38% of the 8 capabilities compared against Surfshark. ✓ native · ◐ via integration · ✗ not found.
| Capability | Mullvad VPN | Surfshark |
|---|---|---|
| Unlimited devices | ✗ | ✓ |
| No-logs policy | ✓ | ✓ |
| Server network size | ✗ | ✓ |
| Dedicated IP | ✗ | ✓ |
| Split tunneling | ✗ | ✓ |
| Multi-hop | ✓ | ✓ |
| Ad & tracker blocking | ✗ | ✓ |
| Money-back guarantee | ✓ | ✓ |
What you give up
Capabilities Surfshark has that Mullvad VPN lacks.
- Unlimited devices — Connect an unlimited number of devices to the VPN at once.Missing from Mullvad VPN.
- Server network size — Choose from a large network of server locations.Missing from Mullvad VPN.
- Dedicated IP — Use a static IP address reserved for your account.Missing from Mullvad VPN.
- Split tunneling — Route only chosen apps or sites through the VPN.Missing from Mullvad VPN.
- Ad & tracker blocking — Block ads and trackers while connected.Missing from Mullvad VPN.
Plans & pricing, side by side
Advertised prices in USD as observed on the official pricing pages — per-seat and transaction-fee plans are marked.
| Flat monthly rate | $5.58/mo |
| Surfshark Starter | $16.45/mo |
| Surfshark One | $18.95/mo |
| Surfshark One+ | $21.85/mo |
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Frequently asked
How much cheaper is Mullvad VPN than Surfshark?
66% cheaper in our scenario (single user, unlimited data, monthly billing): $5.58/mo on Flat monthly rate vs $16.45/mo on Surfshark Starter. That is $130.44 a year. But it covers only 3 of 8 compared capabilities, so it isn't a like-for-like replacement.
What does Mullvad VPN lack compared with Surfshark?
Unlimited devices, Server network size, Dedicated IP, Split tunneling, Ad & tracker blocking — 5 of the 8 compared capabilities.
When were these prices checked?
Surfshark: 2026-10-26; Mullvad VPN: 2026-10-29 — on the official pricing pages.
Who switched
Anonymous: no account, no email, no IP stored. Reports are shown once a switch has 3 or more and never change ranking or order — alternatives are computed from prices and capabilities only.
Sources & freshness
- https://surfshark.com/pricing (official_pricing, checked 2026-10-26)
- https://surfshark.com/pricing#main (official_pricing, checked 2026-10-26)
- Mullvad VPN data last verified 2026-10-29